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Cadboro Gyro Park:
One of the World's Most Unique Playgrounds

We always knew that Cadboro Gyro Park was an extraordinary place. This 6-hectare oceanfront park is located just past Cadboro Bay village and is breathtaking in so many ways.

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Cadborosaurus

Locally known as Gyro Park or the “octopus park”, it has always been the perfect place to let the kids and their imagination run wild. In November 2018 the secret was let out when Fodor’s Travel named it #10 on its 11 Unique Playgrounds Around the World list. We’re very proud to have made the list and invite you to come experience it for yourself.

The play fixtures that helped the playground earn this prestigious title include giant cement sea creature sculptures. Children can slide down the tentacles of an octopus or climb all over the salmon and sea serpent known as Cadborosaurus. Legend has it that a sea serpent was sighted in the Bay back in the 1930s and has been immortalized as a play apparatus in the park since the 1950’s.

Recent upgrades to the park and structures mean thousands more children will enjoy the area for years to come. Combine these wonderful and unique play pieces with a zipline, an accessible ship, shipwreck and swings and you better plan on a long visit because the kids aren’t going to want to leave.

Cement salmon play apparatus

Driftwood fort

Cement octopus play apparatus

Saucer swings

Shipwreck play area

Chances are, you won’t want to leave either.

Sandy, log-strewn beach at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Victoria BC

Cadboro Gyro Park is more than just a playground – there are some terrific amenities for all members of the family. If you appreciate a sandy log-strewn beach with unforgettable ocean and mountain views then you’re really going to enjoy your visit to Cadboro Gyro Park. And the perfect complement to a beachside playground is a picnic lunch. I love my picnic backpack for days like this. The one I got is no longer available but it is very similar to this one - there's an insulated section, dishes and cutlery and a picnic blanket. So handy!

The park features several picnic areas that can be reserved through Saanich’s park permit system or used on a first-come basis. You will be asked to relocate if you are using a table that has been reserved though. What I like about the reservation system is when you are planning a large family reunion, team party or corporate event, you can be assured that you will have enough seating for your entire group.

Stretching out following a morning workout along the beach.

Other unique features of this beautiful park are outdoor tennis courts, a boat launch for non-motorized craft and a seasonal wheelchair accessible beach ramp.

Your furry friends are welcome in the park and on the beach between Sept 1 and April 30 and before 9 am between May 1 and August 31 and always on a leash within 10 metres of the playground.

Puppy enjoying a beach outing at Cadboro-Gyro Park in Victoria BC.

If you are travelling from a distance to this park, you’re going to appreciate plenty of free parking, washroom facilities and a water bottle fill up station.